Sequester update: Impacts on CBP and DOT

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Across-the-board funding cuts mandated to take effect on Friday would cut deeply into U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, potentially doubling wait times from two to four or five hours for travelers and commercial trucks at air, land, and sea ports, agency leaders reiterated to industry trade associations in a conference call on Friday, according to one of the groups. In testimony on Capitol Hill earlier this month, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the forced spending cuts would require CBP officers and Border Patrol agents to take up to 14 days unpaid leave. The furloughs at ports of entry could force truck drivers and travelers to sit in line four to five hours. Air travelers could face an extra hour w...